Modern Languages and Cultures

Helene Laroche Davis, Chair, (650) 508-3558, hdavis@ndnu.edu

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures offers minors in French Studies and Spanish and the opportunity to create interdisciplinary majors and minors. Students are encouraged to gain practical experience outside the classroom by engaging in internships with international companies and agencies both in the USA and abroad to prepare for future careers as global citizens. By providing a range of courses in the language, culture, literature, film, and business of the French and Spanish speaking worlds the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures enables all NDNU students to experience the process of language learning, to acquire proficiency in the target language, and to gain insights into other cultures. Please see the Common Core section of the Core Curriculum Requirements for more information concerning the Culture and Language Requirement.

Study Abroad

Study Abroad which may be undertaken for a summer, a semester, or a whole year, is highly recommended and a popular way for students to hone their language skills, experience living in another culture, and undergo significant personal growth.  Study Abroad programs are available in the French and Spanish speaking areas of the world and are open to all Notre Dame de Namur University students, and financial aid is usually available.

All students minoring in French Studies or Spanish will be encouraged to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or a year.  Courses taken abroad may be applied to a student's degree at NDNU as appropriate.

Service Learning

An exciting summer service learning program has been developed in Guadalajara, Mexico for students who are interested in immersing themselves in, contributing service to, and learning from life in a poor, urban community. This program is also open to all members of the NDNU community.

 

Culture and Language

Culture and Language Courses (CUL) are taught in English and offer students basic language content in addition to a study of the cultural heritage of a specific area of the world. They are specifically for students studying for a Bachelor of Science degree who decide that they prefer to substitute two Culture and Language courses for regular language courses in French or Spanish. BS students may not use the same coursework to satisfy both the Culture and Language and the Cultural Diversity Core Curriculum Requirements.

CUL Course Descriptions
Culture and Language courses described in other sections include:

• HST2200 History, Culture, and Language of France I
• HST2210 History, Culture, and Language of France II

 

French Studies

French Studies minors have the option of concentrating in literature, culture, or business culture. Students may choose to double-minor, combining French with such disciplines as business, sociology, psychology, communications, political science, or history. These combinations prepare students for future work in companies with ties in Canada, Europe, and Africa, as well as in government organizations and teaching institutions.

Minor Requirements: French Studies		Units
12 units chosen from the following:		12
CUL2100	Introduction to French Literature in Film (1-3)
CUL2108	French Cinema, Culture, and Language (3)
CUL2124	Modern France: Culture and Language (3)
CUL2132	Business French I (3)
CUL2140	Business French II (3)
CUL2400	African Cinema, Culture, and Language (3)
FRE2108	Advanced Conversation (1-3)
FRE2116	Pronunciation in Cultural Context (1-3)
FRE2124	French Society in Texts and Films (3)
FRE2132	French Today (1-3)
FRE2140	Women in French Literature (3)
FRE2994	Teaching Assistant (1-3)
HST2200	History, Culture, and Language of France I (3)
HST2210	History, Culture, and Language of France II (3)
Total		12

FRE Course Descriptions
French Studies courses described in other sections include:

• CUL2100 Introduction to French Literature in Film
• CUL2108 French Cinema, Culture and Language
• CUL2124 Modern France: Culture and Language
• CUL2132 Business French I
• CUL2134 Business French II
• CUL2400 African Cinema
• HST2200 History, Culture, and Language of France I
• HST2210 History, Culture, and Language of France II

Latin American Studies

Students interested in Latin American Studies may choose from the following courses that combine proficiency in the Spanish language with the study of the history, politics, literature, art, music, culture, and values of the Spanish-speaking people of Mexico, South and Central America, and the United States.

Spanish

The Minor in Spanish emphasizes building skills and fluency in the Spanish language, especially for career purposes.

Minor Requirements: Spanish		Units
Complete 12 upper- division units from the following of which at six (6) units must be taught in Spanish:		12
CUL2232	Latino/Hispanic Experience in the USA (3)
CUL2240	Mexican American Literature, Language, and Film (3)
CUL2248	Culture and Language of Latin America through Film (3)
CUL2250	Literature of Latin America (3)
CUL2500	Service Learning: The Guadalajara Community Service Project (1-3)
SPA2100	Advanced Spanish: Composition and Grammar Review (3)
SPA2108	Advanced Spanish: La herencia cultural de latinoamérica (3)
SPA2116	Spanish Conversation through Film (3)
SPA2124	Spanish for a Bilingual World: Community Service and Business (3)
Total		12

SPA Course Descriptions
Spanish courses described in other sections include:

• CUL2232 Latino/hispanic Expericnce in the USA
• CUL2240 Mexican American Literature, Language, and Film
• CUL2248 Culture and Language of Latin America through Film
• CUL2250 Literature of Latin America